SEB BLOG NOTES | 270525

 Security & Crime

·       Amotekun rescues eight kidnapped passengers in Ondo. The Ondo State Security Network Agency, known as Amotekun, successfully rescued eight passengers who had been kidnapped in the Akoko North area. The operation was swift, following a distress call from one of the victims. The kidnappers fled, leaving the hostages behind.

·       Lagos Police arrest two suspects for brutal murder of a woman. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the gruesome murder and burning of a woman in the Gangare area near Mile 12 Market. The victim was allegedly attacked by her estranged boyfriend and accomplices. The police clarified that the incident was not related to blasphemy, as some reports had suggested.

·       Explosion in Abuja. A blast at a bus stop near Mogadishu Cantonment injured one person. Authorities are investigating the cause, and security agencies have cordoned off the area

·       Security in Borno. Governor Zulum vowed that no local government area in Borno will fall to insurgents. He met with President Tinubu to discuss security challenges and proposed the creation of forest guards to combat Boko Haram and ISWAP

·     Butcher accused of stealing cows worth N3.7 million. A 40-year-old butcher, Bashiru Gboyega, was arraigned in an Ibadan court for allegedly defrauding a merchant of five cows worth N3.7 million. He had reportedly sold the cows but failed to remit the money to the owner.

·       Suspected kidnapper confessed he planned to travel abroad with ransom money. A 25-year-old suspected kidnapper, Musa Shaibu, confessed that he intended to use his share of the ransom money to travel abroad. He was arrested in Lagos after his gang kidnapped a 14-year-old boy and demanded N20 million for his release.

·       Port Harcourt Copter Crash. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) announced that the final report on the October 2024 helicopter crash will be released later this year. The crash involved an aircraft operated by East Wind Aviation, killing five of the eight people onboard

Sports

·       Nigerian athlete Tobi Amusan broke a record in the 100m hurdles at the Rabat Diamond League. Amusan won the women’s 100m hurdles with a new meet record of 12.45 seconds, surpassing the previous record of 12.51 seconds set in 2018. Her victory reaffirms her status as one of the world’s top hurdlers.

·       Victor Osimhen reportedly close to securing a move to Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal. The Nigerian football star is in advanced negotiations with Al Hilal, with personal terms nearly agreed upon. The Saudi government is expected to provide the necessary funds to finalize the transfer.

 

Politics

·       Labour Party distances itself from claims about Peter Obi’s political involvement. The Labour Party clarified that it has not endorsed Peter Obi’s involvement in coalition talks ahead of the 2027 elections. The party emphasized that there would be no automatic ticket for any aspirant, including Obi.

·       Former President Olusegun Obasanjo shared details of an alleged plot against him during his imprisonment. Obasanjo revealed that former military ruler Sani Abacha had planned to ensure that he, MKO Abiola, and Shehu Yar’Adua would not leave prison alive. He attributed his survival to divine grace.

·       President Tinubu intervened in the sealing of properties in Abuja over unpaid ground rent. Tinubu directed the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to suspend the sealing of properties and granted defaulters a 14-day grace period to settle their outstanding ground rent payments.

·       Suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan remains defiant amid her ongoing court battle against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The federal government has filed a fresh suit against her, accusing her of criminal defamation over allegations of assassination plots involving Akpabio and former Governor Yahaya Bello. The case, filed in the Federal Capital Territory High Court, is expected to see both Akpabio and Bello testify.

·       PDP Caucus Meeting Postponed. The Peoples Democratic Party postponed its caucus meeting after the Federal Capital Territory Authority sealed its national secretariat over unpaid ground rent. The party condemned the action and vowed to challenge it

Entertainment

·       Comedienne Taaoma called out an unnamed “rap legend”. Taaoma sparked online discussions after posting a cryptic tweet criticizing an unnamed rap legend. The post quickly gained traction, with fans speculating about the identity of the person she was referring to.

·       Actress Clare McCann revealed the tragic suicide of her 13-year-old son due to bullying. Australian actress Clare McCann shared the heartbreaking news that her son, Atreyu, took his own life after enduring relentless bullying at school. She is now raising funds to cryogenically preserve his body.

·       BBNaija star Angel Smith sparked discussions with a viral video featuring a mystery female friend. Angel Smith shared a video of herself in an intimate embrace with British-Nigerian rapper Darkoo, leading to speculation about her sexuality. She later responded, saying she has the right to live her life as she chooses.

·       SLAY is a vibrant, cross-continental comedy featuring stars from South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania. Directed by Elvis Chucks, the film explores themes of vanity, social media fame, and modern identity with humor and heart. It’s now streaming for free on YouTube.

·       Goalkeepers’ ‘Africa in Motion’ is live in Lagos, showcasing changemakers shaping the future through health tech, education, storytelling, and infrastructure. Hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and featuring MI Abaga, the event highlights African-led solutions to global challenges.

·       Joy Mojisola Raimi is making waves at Miss World, proudly representing Nigeria with custom gele and Tiv-inspired designs. Her outfits reflect Nigerian heritage, blending elements from different regions.

·       Burna Boy and Travis Scott have dropped the official video for Tatata, a fusion of Afrobeats and hip-hop rhythms packed with swagger and style.

Economy

·       French President Emmanuel Macron, during his visit to Vietnam, warned students about the “impulsiveness” of global superpowers. He criticized Donald Trump’s trade tariffs and China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea, pitching France as a “third way” between the U.S. and China. Macron emphasized the importance of freedom of navigation and urged Vietnam to consider France as a stable alternative

·       Passport Backlogs. The Federal Government cleared over 200,000 unprocessed passports and settled a ₦28 billion legacy debt owed to contractors. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said the reforms will ensure faster passport processing

Sports

·       Liverpool’s Premier League victory parade turned tragic when a car crashed into the crowd, injuring nearly 50 people, including four children. A 53-year-old man was arrested at the scene, and authorities confirmed the incident was not terror-related. Emergency responders rescued several people trapped under the vehicle, and 27 people were taken to the hospital, with two suffering serious injuries.

People

A Nigerian Catholic priest lost his life in a fatal accident when his car fell into a river while heading to church in Niger State. Reports indicate that heavy rain caused the bridge to collapse, leading to the tragic incident.

Education

·       A JAMB candidate who initially scored 162 in the 2025 UTME rewrote the exam and achieved a record-breaking score of 300, making history in his school. His older brother shared how the initial low score devastated their family, but the resit exam proved his true potential.

Food & Cuisine

·       Kikifoodies presents a healthier take on Jollof rice with Lite Jollof, made with brown rice and less oil while keeping the smoky, spicy flavor intact. She explains how chilling the chicken stock allows the fat to solidify and be removed, making the dish lighter. You can check out the full recipe

Fashion

·       Memphis Depay honors his Ghanaian heritage by wearing a striking Kente outfit in celebration of World Africa Day. The outfit features bold geometric patterns in yellow, orange, blue, and red, draped over one shoulder in true Ghanaian fashion.

Children’s Day

·       President Tinubu condemned bullying in schools, emphasizing that violence and neglect have no place in Nigeria. He launched the "See Something, Say Something, Do Something" campaign to encourage child protection

Tech

·       Nigeria’s Broadband Growth. The country’s broadband penetration rose to 48.15%, but it remains short of the 70% target set for 2025. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) reported a steady increase in internet access.

·       SpaceX Starship Launch. SpaceX is set for another Starship test flight after two previous launches ended in fiery failures. The company has made modifications to improve reliability.

International News

·       Hamas reportedly agreed to a U.S.-proposed ceasefire. A Palestinian official claimed that Hamas had accepted a U.S.-brokered ceasefire proposal involving a 70-day truce and the release of 10 hostages. However, Israel swiftly rejected the deal, calling it unacceptable.

·       French President Emmanuel Macron addressed a viral video of his wife shoving him in the face. Macron dismissed the viral video showing his wife, Brigitte, pushing his face away as they exited a plane in Vietnam. He described the incident as playful teasing, criticizing how the footage was misinterpreted.

·       ECOWAS 50th Anniversary. President Tinubu departed for Lagos to mark the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS. The event will reenact the 1975 declaration and highlight the bloc’s achievements.